Chumakook's Water Project

My Journey to Chumakook, Warrap, South Sudan

By Yar Beny

To Chumakook, amidst dust and heat, my odyssey began, from America’s comfort to South Sudan. The distance from Juba to Wau, then Chumakook in Tonj North County of Warrap, appeared a world away.

What struck me most was not only the vast expanse of endless forest in front of me but also the deep visible poverty that permeates every aspect of life in this community and not just the lack of material wealth; it was the absence of the most basic of human needs—water, health care, adequate food, even the simplest of hope.

Chumakookians would never dream of clean water, the consecrated element for life. To satisfy their thirst, they make a kind of pilgrimage, walking for three to four hours each way under the weight of heavy jugs because all that was left in this dry and sunny area were impure pools. Each step is a testament to courage in times of trials for women, children, and older people.

The interactions with the locals created a picture of grief and mayhem. Each house is a battleground of disease, as it had buried two or more children, claimed by diseases such as typhoid fever, meningitis, and malaria. Their pain, hidden from the eyes of the world, left deep scars in their souls.

The isolated Chumakook stood out well in the trenches of Tonj, which looks like a civilization in the middle of a vast wilderness. A four-hour drive, it is a full-day hike, and it stands as a beacon of refuge in the unforgiving wilderness for those seeking medical attention. But with no public transport, the site remains inaccessible to those most in need.

Our proposed solutions aim to alleviate the suffering and bring sustainable change to Chumakook:

1. Well Construction: The investment of $10–15k would drill the wells, provide a valuable source of clean water for drinking and irrigation, and provide an ideal environment for livestock. This is our number 1 prioity.

2. Solar-Powered Pumping Systems: With the help of solar panels, water will be pumped into storage tanks utilizing solar energy to enable an uninterrupted and stable supply to the village.

3. Menstrual Hygiene: The supply of sanitary pads promotes a crucial and frequently ignored element in women’s health by attending to hygiene needs.

4. Smart Agriculture: Providing modern farming equipment and know-how improves agricultural production, thus bringing about food security and economic stability.

5. Livestock Vaccination: The community saves its economy and develops resilience to economic shocks by immunizing livestock.

Our efforts go beyond charity; we aim to uplift people experiencing poverty and support sustainable development practices. Through the investment in water infrastructure and holistic solutions, our vision is to facilitate positive change for Chumakook by fostering resilience.

Your contribution is not just a philanthropic gesture but also an investment in humanity. It is a privilege to serve, and together, we can change lives in Chumakook and beyond. Help us to make clean water a reality by helping those who need it most.

My name is Yar. I work as a nurse at Mayo Clinic. I have never felt more powerless than I did when I visited Chumakook and the surrounding areas in 2023. There are times when the memories of this trip keep me awake at night. The need I saw continues to haunt and bother my heart.

It was difficult for me to interact with the ill, starving, and dehydrated people in these communities as a nurse and provide them with no assistance of any kind!

Now, I'm extending an invitation to all of my loved ones, friends, and well-wishers to work with me in order to lessen the suffering, give these communities better health opportunities, and give them hope for a better tomorrow. I thank you for your time, donations and love!